Stepping Out Of The Box

Today’s Music: The Shook – Window
(Because how often do you hear a banjo on a wah-wah pedal?)
Days Til Spring: TWO!!!!!And if you can, please help out Merbear.===========================>>>

Tomorrow I’m going to step way out of my comfort zone. I’m going to an orientation for Big Brothers Big Sisters. They are an organization that pairs mentors with children who, for whatever reason, could use one.
It’s not a tremendous time requirement – they ask for four hours every other weekend. They want the mentors (Bigs) to provide support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement and constructive examples.
(Fortunately, I have a whole bag of GOOD LORD, DON’T DO THIS!!! examples.)

Like this.But completely different.

I don’t know if I can clearly articulate why I want to do this. I don’t see myself as particularly altruistic, or someone who thinks “I must give every last bit to help everyone else!!!”, and there are those who could probably put forth good arguments that I’m a dick.
I don’t know. I’ve always thought of myself as “just this guy”, and that’s enough for me.

I’ve had my struggles, but overall, my life hasn’t been overly difficult. As a Straight White Male, I live on what John Scalzi calls the easy setting. But I know that’s just because of luck. Spin the wheel in either direction, just a little, and either by birth or consequences of a myriad stupid decisions, my life could have been a lot harder. I don’t begrudge anyone else their success, and I’m not competitive enough to want to keep anyone else down so I can do well.
I think if you do well and I was there to help you out along the way, that’s enough for me. So why not lend a hand to a kid that needs one?

At the orientation, they’ll give us an idea of the kids we might be dealing with, of what we can do with them, and I probably what the boundaries are. They’ll pair me up with someone that shares my interests – hopefully the kid will like science fiction, (good) music, food. Maybe I’ll have something useful to the show the kid.
I have no idea.

But I know that however it goes, it will be worth the effort.
Who knows, maybe he’ll even have a thing for Hawaiian shirts!

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an incredible program! You really will touch a life in a positive way but I assure you….yours will be touched as well. I cannot wait to hear how this all plays out. I think you will be a fabulous mentor but be prepared to learn from your little brother.

This is a very generous thing to do. You seem like a pretty agreeable bloke so I think you’ll wear it well. You could change a life. It might even be your own! And just think of the fantastic blog posts we’re all in for. (See how I found something in it for me, too. Heh.)

Ok, first let me say that you had me at banjo…and wow. That song rocked my morning!! Thank you for that!

Second, I admire anyone that donates their time to a child in need. The children you’ll “work with” NEED someone WITHOUT an agenda to just be their friend. It sounds like your intentions are genuine and for that…you are awesome my friend. Please keep us posted!!

And on a serious note, I said it before but I’ll say it again. You’re a proper stand-up guy, Guap. And this is definitely something I’d like to get into one day. When I eventually grow up and don’t need a Big myself that is.

That is going to be one lucky kid!! This post started my day on the right note, I’m so happy you are doing this for an organization I really believe in. He will be a much better person for having spent time with you. 🙂

This is great. My friend worked for a charity who did this for kids without father figures and assumed i would be a good candidate, you just had a few hours a week to take them out and do something fun. At the time I knew my habit of getting spontaneously drunk the night before would hamper me committing to being there the next day so wouldn’t have been fair.

This post started my day with a smile. It’s fabulous that you’re willing to step up to the plate to help a young person get a good start in life. Well done, you! I look forward to future posts about your exploits with your new Little Bro. Of course, I wouldn’t be a real Canadian if I didn’t suggest Live Child Fooseball as a good introductory activity!

First off, let me say that anytime you can find a way of connecting the movie “Slingblade” into a post, you win mega points in the “weirdly disturbing yet cool” category. =) You the man, Guap ! =)

But seriously, the way you can impact a child is nothing short of miraculous, and I think you are going to be awesome in this venture !!!!! =) It is a great thing to share of yourself, especially with someone who needs the interaction a little more than your average kid. =)

Good on you, and have a wonderful time… ! Here’s to life’s next great adventure ! =)

ps- can totally see you with a mini-me, all decked out in Hawaiian print. =)

That is really awesome. I’m excited for you to do this. This week I had a child spend the entire week with us. She is a friend of my daughters. She was invited for one day but she didn’t want to go home. I wanted to just listen to her and be there for her. You can make a difference in people’s life if you just take the time with children. At least that’s how I feel. Proud of you.

Definitely let us know how it goes! I’ve thought about doing something like this, but I’m sick all the damn time and I’m afraid that makes me really unreliable. I should look into a different way to help. Look at that, you’re an inspiration! 😉

“I think if you do well and I was there to help you out along the way, that’s enough for me.”—Love this line! Altruism at it’s finest (even if you don’t think you’re altruistic, which you are, but you’re wonderfully humble, too). You will undoubtedly make a fabulous Big Brother. Good on you!

I am SO PROUD of you, Guap! Wow, what a lucky kid he will be to pair up with you and share some time, fun, and role modeling. I can think of at least a hundred reasons why you would be a good Big, but I think you wrote it yourself in this post; especially that 2nd paragraph after the picture. Obviously we have never met in person but I know from our blog interaction that you are a man of integrity, sensitivity, adventure, and honor. Those are qualities that are rare and often missing altogether in adults and I applaud you (with vigor!) for choosing to share yourself with a child whose life may not have received the same opportunities you had. Can’t wait to read about it, too!!! xxxL

You rock! That simple.
I volunteer at Hospice every week, because that’s my gig. I feel good every time I leave there. I know I’ve helped someone else, and I love the work I do. I also help teens with their college apps (tutor them in writing), and love that as well. It’s so clichéd, but we really do get so much from giving.

I really believe that there is a kid out there who’s life is about to get a whole lot better… knowing you, and knowing that you care enough to connect. Having worked as a therapist with troubled teens, for years, I can tell you that you are doing something really needed, and really special; there are far too few of you… and your life will never be the same again either. You rock!

What the heck was that… okay, hilarious. When you said literal, I thought you meant they would do a video showing literally the things in the song, but this is much better. Now they have to do one for Holding Out for a Hero.

Guap, mate, I was a youth worker for over 20 very stressful, very satisfying years, I then migrated to being Pastor for 5 very stressful, very (unsatisfying doesn’t cut it) depleting years…now I’m just a guy with a normal job and 4 teenagers who want to hang around and bring their mates over. I have a feeling you are going to love this! Good on you man. Respect REDdog

This should be very interesting. Am looking forward to your blog about this organization, and your impressions. I have a feeling you have lots to contribute to young people in need of someone to talk to and who will listen.

Woohoo! One of these kids has no idea how wicked cool his life is about to become. Talk about a great mentor! You can teach him about computers, introduce him to surfing, show him how to do a naked bar slide… okay, maybe not that one.

Congratulations, and good for you on choosing to step out of your comfort zone.

(Can I sign up to be a little brother, in hopes of getting a crazy, fun big brother like you?)

Good for you to be doing this, El G. I’m sure you will be a great mentor, and whichever kid is lucky enough to get you, will really benefit from the experience. Of course, there’s always the possibility that he will be able to teach you something too. 🙂

Thank you! I think it’s more than likely he’ll teach me something. One of the things I like about kids is that they have completely different perspectives, and don’t yet know that some things can’t be done.

Funnily enough I was thinking of doing something similar here in Australia called Aunties and Uncles. It’s the same concept, mentoring and spending time with kids from about 5-12 years old. I looked into it and decided to volunteer at my local children’s hospital instead. I start my training tonight!! I might still get involved with Aunties and Uncles and I’d love to hear your experiences! it’s an awesome thing to do 🙂

There will be much to learn from you my great friend and the unknown elements of this bonding will offer so much more, after all when someone reaches out and there is help given freely it gives a lot more than just encouragement. It gives a positive vibe to every hour spent, I mean some kid’s go through life without being able to adjust to the outside world, they are lonely and stand back from the crowd when all it needs is a bit of encouragement, a push towards gaining confidence.

Offering yourself forward in this way will add a guiding light and a tremendous richness to any kid’s life, of that I have no doubts my great friend. Your knowledge and wisdom will enhance those young minds, nurturing them and feeding a desire to learn more.

You are one in a million Guap and
I am honoured to call you my friend.

This is the first time I’ve heard of this organization, we don’t have it here. It sounds like a great initiative !
And there is no one better than you to be a part of this. We are our own worst critics. You are going to rock this Gaupo ! Fingers crossed . I hope this turns out to be an awesome experience for you 🙂
P.S I can only wish there is something like Big Sisters as well 😀

Yay! I’ve found someone who can take on my teenage daughter!!! Buying the ticket RIGHT NOW. She is just going to LOVE New York! Seriously, best advice I can give you (somebody’s got to do it) Just be yourself! Cheesy but so true. Although that’s not quite working for the teenager – OK, I retract that!

I can completely relate. I haven’t walked up Table mountain for about ten years, actually no I went up with the Cable Car last year, but because it was a school outing and I got to do it for free!! Maybe we should swap!

I think this is a great idea. There are lots of cool fun things you can do with kids, and you’d be surprised how little it takes to make the whole world different for a kid. I like working with kids because it gives me the chance to act like a kid and do things like color, jump rope, watch kids movies, play games, etc without any judgement. While I’m just having fun, it sometimes makes a big difference for them to see someone cares what they have to say and wants to be around them. It’s simple, but sometimes surprisingly meaningful. Have fun with it!

Thanks! I think acting like a kid will easy for me. It’s the more responsible stuff that makes me nervous. I think as long as I listen to the kid and don’t try and force him to be a certain way, I should be all right.

While I have never been a Big Sister, I have been a stepmother to lots of kids & I sometimes think this is just as important. Kids want to know there is always someone out there who cares about them (whether you’re related by blood or not), someone who is interested in what they like (I even learned how to play Dungeons & Dragons to help the son of a boyfriend between H1 & H2), someone they can look up to & who will be consistent with them. Model the way they should act, don’t just tell them. You will be great Guaps & any young man would be lucky to get you as a Big Brother.